Punk/Metal Mix Engineer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently working on recording a title fight and black country, new road inspired song that I came up with during a trip.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: It does not matter. Not at all really. Not because there aren't differences between the two or because they sound identical according to some people, but rather because all that really matters is the person whose hands it is in. You can make an amazing mix from analog or digital equipment if you know what to do.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: You will always end with a result that YOU want. At the end of the day my only goal is to ensure that you have exactly what you are looking for and not anyone else.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: My favourite part is seeing a project through and being able to bring someone's idea to life. There isn't anything more fulfilling.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: The perspective of an artist. While I do mixing, I will always be a musician and artist foremost, and that shows in my work. I understand having a vision, and I make sure not to force anyone to compromise on their own.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Do what is right for you. Do not blindly hire someone or go along with whatever they say. You need to stick to what you are wanting.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: My Ibanez Talman bass, Shure SM57, SE v7, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, and my laptop.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I am currently going into university for media production, and I am working to start my career. I have been working on my musical skills and recording ability for around the past three years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would describe it as raw but polished. It may seem like a contradiction, but I do my best to keep the music as unadulterated from the artists vision as possible while also being pleasing to listen to. My goal is to make sure that the mixing and production of a song isn't getting in the way of what they want.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: (Unsurprisingly) I would love to work with Ned Russin as he has been the inspiration behind most of my music. I'd love to get a chance to see how our creative visions would mesh or clash.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When I'm mixing a song, the first thing I do is balance all the volume levels, before moving to panning. From there I will solo each instrument and adjust the eq accordingly, before listening to them together and changing the eq more. I generally will spend some time cleaning up the recording and making sure everything is in phase and then I will mess with the dynamics. If I'm recording vocals I record through my focusrite preamp and use the optical compression and de-esser to speed up my workflow. If there are issues with the recording that can't be fixed with simple eq or compression I move to dynamic eqs/compressors. Generally I will also add in any automation or creative effects I see fit at this point. I like to swap between mono and stereo in order to ensure my mix is sounding good. I do at least 50% of my mixing on headphones, but I also will swap over to a variety of speakers (from the 60s up to brand new speakers), as well as on Airpods, my laptop speakers, and car speakers. If I'm creating my own song I like to start with a bass line before moving to either drums or vocals. Generally I add guitar last, and then do most of the mixing from there.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a dual monitor setup connected to my laptop which I run Ableton Live 12 on. It is connected to a Behringer umc1820 and a Motu 2408 MKii that uses the preamps on my soundcraft Spirit Lx7. I program drums using both my Maschine Mikro mk3 and Alesis Nitro Max. I use an Alesis midi keyboard for recording synths mainly. I have a pearl forum drum kit set up for recording in my basement. I have my bass and guitar amps in my room for when I'm writing songs, and I swap between my 4 and 5 string bass. When I'm practicing or coming up with ideas everything is ran through my soundcraft mixer into my EV sx300 speakers. I have a large variety of mics that I use depending on the project and sound I'm going for.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Ned Russin (of title fight) is my biggest musical inspiration, and Jay Maas is my biggest inspiration mix/production wise.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I mainly do mixing work which involves improving stereo balance, fixing/modifying dynamics, tuning, quantizing, amp sims/reamping, different creative effects, etc.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Keep in mind what you are trying to fix/change with the sound and why, don't just add a compressor because someone said you should. Every plugin/piece of equipment used should have a clear reason why it's there.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: I usually work on music in the realm of hardcore/post hardcore, punk, metal, rock, indie, and shoegaze.